Photo Credit: honeymoonbackpackers.com
Hanoi is the capital of Vietnam and the administrative and political centre of the country, which means that this is a place with lots of stories and history to share! Due to its long history as a French colony, Hanoi’s long relationship with China that dated back to many centuries ago, and Vietnam’s own local culture, Hanoi proves to be a charming city that has an interesting mix of culture and influence that will sweep its tourists off their feet after they set foot in this lovely city!
We have come up with a 5D4N guide to Hanoi that covers just some of the most interesting sites and to-dos in this city!
The price for an amazing
Read on to find out more!
Day 1
Photo Credit: www.adamashanoihotel.com
Jet off to Hanoi and check in to Adamas Hotel, a cozy hotel located in the center of Hanoi Old Quarter, which means that you have easy access to many of the best and most popular restaurants, shopping and historical sites in the city!
After you have settled into your room, head out for dinner nearby the hotel! We recommend that you walk around the Old Quarter to try out the street food of Hanoi so that you can get a good sense of this bustling city and people watch at the same time!
Photo Credit: Banh Mi 25 Facebook page
In case you need some suggestions, we recommend that you try the popular Vietnamese baguette sandwich Banh Mi at Banh Mi 25, one of the most popular sandwich stalls in Vietnam! Banh Mi is a typical Vietnamese sandwich that derives from both Vietnamese and French cuisines, representing the cultures that still influence the city till today.
After your dinner, take a walk around and get lost in the Old Quarter. Enjoy simple haggling with the street vendors if you eye something that caught your interest, or simply enjoy this unique street view that we do not get to see much in Singapore. Brave your heart and be careful as you cross the city’s streets, known to be packed with motor vehicles!
Day 2
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Rise and shine early and join a city tour that will help you cover the best of Hanoi’s popular sightseeing spots in just one day!
Some of the sites that you must visit include Tran Quoc Pagoda, a Buddhist relic and national heritage lying on the West Lake; One-Pillar Pagoda, a symbol of Hanoi City; Temperature of Literature, Vietnam’s first university and the most famous temple in Hanoi; Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, the final resting place and museum to recall President Ho Chi Minh’s life and career.
Photo Credit: bucketlistjourney.net
If the last stop of your tour is at the legendary Hoan Kiem Lake, where you will be able to see beautiful Vietnamese and French architecture blending together seamlessly around this lake, we recommend that you drop by the world-famous Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre, where Vietnamese folk tales and legends are acted out by puppets and accompanied by authentic Vietnamese operatic songs. This water puppet tradition is unique to North Vietnam, so you should be giving this a try!
Photo Credit: Anthony Bourdain/Instagram
After the water puppet show and a short 10-minute drive away, try this Vietnamese dish of grilled pork and noodle called bun cha, which is said to have originated from Hanoi. Look out for this restaurant called Bun Cha Huong Lien, also known as “Obama Bun Cha” now! Why? Because even Mr Obama and celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain are seen eating here!
Day 3
Photo Credit: www.vspiritcruises.com
Get ready to be awed by the wonders of nature! You will be heading to Halong Bay, a beautiful natural wonder declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1994. Explore the most beautiful cave in Halong Bay – Sung Sot Cave, and go swimming or relax on the beach of Titov. The best part of your cruise would be the opportunity to watch sunset on the sundeck – a lovely sight to behold!
Photo Credit: www.halonghub.com
After the sun sets, take the opportunity to mingle with your fellow travellers and share your travel memories as dinner is being served. If you like to, you can also fish for squid on board as the night sets in.
Day 4
Photo Credit: www.vspiritcruises.com
Start your day early! For the photography enthusiasts, take the opportunity to capture the best of Halong Bay during sunrise. Otherwise, start your day with some tai chi exercises and enjoy the breezy fresh air. As you will be disembarking the boat around noon time, we suggest that you spend some time enjoying the awesome view on board or choose to get up-close to nature by kayaking around Luon Cave. Thereafter, freshen up yourself for the rest of the day and continue enjoying the last part of your cruise ride as the cruise passes by other famous spots like Ba Hang fishing village, Dog Islet and more.
Photo Credit: www.vspiritcruises.com
The last stop of your cruise will be a fruit carving demonstration and an opportunity to participate in a cooking class before you are treated to a traditional Vietnamese lunch.
Take some time to rest and recharge after you arrive back in Hanoi city in the early evening.
Photo Credit: www.vietnam-guide.com
After a few days of local Vietnamese cuisine, we recommend you give the French cuisine in Hanoi a try. Since Vietnam was a French colony for many years, the influence of French culture is evident in Vietnamese culture and cuisine. Try Au Delice & Le Restaurant d’Arthur Hanoi, which is a favourite among the French expat community in Hanoi and known for serving quality French cuisine in a homely setting.
Photo Credit: Standing Bar Hanoi/Instagram
As night sets in, go grab a local craft beer at Standing Bar Hanoi, where it serves an impressive list of Vietnamese craft beer brands. Or if alcohol is not your call, we recommend that you take a stroll to the main attraction sites like Hoan Kiem Lake again, because the places will look entirely different (and even more beautiful) at night when lights are lit up.
Day 5
Photo Credit: tourinhanoi.com
In case you still have some time to spare before your flight, head over to Hang Da Market and do some light shopping before you leave Hanoi! A market popular among both locals and tourists alike, you can expect a wide variety of products in this place, ranging from food to clothes and jewelleries, also an entertainment area for children!
If you are looking for a souvenir that will remind you of your lovely holiday in Hanoi, we recommend the ladies getting Ao Dai, Vietnam’s traditional long dress, as these dresses not only represent Hanoi and Vietnam perfectly, they are also made with real silk, so you can be assured of the quality!
Sounds enticing? Just a short plane ride away, treat yourself to this short 5D4N trip to Hanoi, especially during the end of the year where the weather there turns cooler!
Purchase your deal HERE for just S$288 (U.P. S$499) for 1 person, where your stay on V’Spriit Cruises in Halong Bay with meals and a 3-night accommodation in Adamas Hotel and more are ALL included in the package for you!
